Lizzie Beatrice Walker

Lizzie (Liz) Bernice Smith Walker was born to the union of Alonzo (Lot) and Victoria (Bickley) Smith on Saturday, June 4, 1932, in Lexington, South Carolina.  Because her birth may have been eclipsed by events like the Great Depression, Amelia Earhart’s flight, and the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, it’s likely that her parents missed the inherent greatness of Lizzie during her early years.  Despite this possible oversight, they did recognize something different about her as she excelled at sewing and creating ensembles for her sisters, fashioned from discarded flour sacks…albeit after disregarding her mother’s demand to “stay away from her sewing machine”.

Similar to all heroines, Lizzie was born into humble circumstances and shared her early years with eleven (that is not a typo) siblings:  Allene Martin (George), Josephine Rouse (Willie), James (Buddy) Smith (Lillie), William Smith (Marcella), Frances Bamberg (Charles), Bertha Murray (Joseph), Helen Smith, Clarence Smith, Annie Richardson (Julius), Joseph Smith (Essie) and Vermella Tillmon (Woodrow).

Lizzie’s call to adventure began after graduating from Rosenwald High School, obtaining a license as a beautician, and working as a nanny for a variety of families.  She spent a short time in Miami, which is where she met and married Alonzo (Al) Walker after a short courtship and embarked upon life as a military spouse.  As they navigated the globe together with their children, Wallace (Rosetta ~ Sean ~ Trenton) and Linessa (Carl ~ Carleigh ~ and Emersen), Lizzie began to focus on her relationship with Jesus and her life-long mission work of evangelism, social action, and service.

Once arriving back in the United States, Lizzie faced the trials of injustice and inequality by organizing and participating in local and state-wide marches and demonstrations while putting action behind her prayers in the front of the classroom as a Sunday School teacher.  As transformative as these endeavors were for her family and community, Lizzie impacted even more in her 29-year career with Clemson University Extension service, providing education about food and nutrition to generations who still remember the soul food she provided for the stomach and the heart.

Never tempted to do less than her absolute best, Lizzie designed and tailored some of the most creative fashions during her lifetime and could often be heard explaining that she was putting on the B-I-G – the best I got!  She lovingly shared her talent with friends and family alike, crating beautiful wardrobes throughout the country.

Despite all of her wonderful achievements one would be remiss if her love of education was not mentioned.  Lizzie was a proponent of education and generously provided financial support to nine youths, in addition to her two, to assist in the completion of their education.  She was also a strong supporter of Benedict College and anyone else who found themselves in a “situation” or needed a “stipend”.

In her ministry, she served St. Paul Baptist Church in many capacities that included Sunday School teacher, Willing Workers, Pastor and Pulpit Aid and Trustee.  In 2017, Lizzie was honored by the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Association during their sesquicentennial celebration for her lifelong contributions as a missionary and commitment to advancing the work of the Kingdom.  Regardless of her abilities in her later years, she never forgot the love of the Lord or to remind you to stay in your lane.

Today we celebrate Lizzie’s life for the heroine she was and her continued impact through the ongoing efforts of the Lizzie Walker Legacy Scholarship and the Frazier Family Foundation.  Any memorial donations may be made payable to the scholarship fund.

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